LiturgyTools.net: Hymns for the 4th Sunday of Lent, Year B - Laetare Sunday (10 March 2024)

A selection of hymns and songs, based on themes from the Roman Catholic lectionary for the fourth Sunday of Lent, Year B.

Most are free-to-use (ie public domain or copyright-free) meaning the words can be copied and sung to at least one tune with no concerns about copyright or performance licensing. Many such hymns are old/traditional - but where possible a variety of styles / genres are included.

A small selection of hymns which are still copyright, but are a particularly good fit for the day's readings, are also included.

Seasonal note

The fourth Sunday in Lent is commonly known as Laetare Sunday. The word "laetare" means rejoice in Latin, and this idea is taken from the entrance-antiphon for the Mass, which starts "Rejoice, O Jerusalem...". Falling roughly at the half-way point in the Lenten season, this is a Sunday when traditional Lenten austerity is relaxed, and we have a reminder of the joyous resurrection to come. The day's liturgical colour is rose, instead of the usual purple of the Lenten season.

This is also Mother's Day in some countries (including Ireland, the UK, Nigeria).

The Year A Mass readings may be used today, especially if a pre-baptismal / RCIA scrutiny is being held.

4th Sunday of Lent, Year A

3rd Sunday of Lent, Year B

5th Sunday of Lent, Year B

4th Sunday of Lent, Year C

Readings

First: 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23 - The priests and people were unfaithful to God, but still God kept sending messengers to them. Eventually they burned down the palaces of Jerusalem, and looted it. The people went into exile in Babylon until the Lord's mercy called King Cyrus of Persia to build a house at Jerusalem and to take the faithful ones with him.

Psalm 136 - O let my tongue cleave to my mouth if I remember you not / By the rivers of Babylon / for it was there that they asked us for songs / O how could we sing the song of the Lord / .

Second: Ephesians 2:4-10 - By grace you have been saved through faith, [this] is the gift of God- not the result of works.

Gospel: John 3:14-21- “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” God sent the Son into the world to save it through him - those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.